BIMINI, BAHAMAS – Waterkeepers Bahamas is teaming up with 4Ocean for a massive beach clean-up effort for the second year. In June, local and international volunteers collected 1,500 pounds of trash from Radio Beach, Bimini, in just one hour. “This initiative is one of many that allows us to not only carry out our mandate of protecting the environment but to partner with other organizations to support their worthy causes,” explained Rashema Ingraham, Executive Director of Waterkeepers Bahamas. “Radio Beach was the perfect location to promote clean water initiatives and advocate for healthier ecosystems for residents and visitors alike.
Participants included a group of paddlers in an annual 80-mile paddle challenge, “The Crossing”, – making their way to the Florida coast all to support The Piper’s Angels Foundation for Cystic Fibrosis, which raises awareness and supports families of those battling the debilitating disease.
Founder and Executive Director Travis Suit named the organization to honour his daughter. “It was so wonderful to be back in Bimini working with Waterkeepers and 4Ocean. This year’s beach cleanup was a resounding success, as we collected 1,500 pounds of trash.” He marvelled at the collective impact of the organizations that formed this beautiful collaboration. “This initiative is what leadership and teamwork are all about.”
4Ocean, in its continued efforts to end the ocean plastics crisis, has worked in West End, Grand Bahama, and now, for a second time, in Bimini. This beach clean-up is also in keeping with water monitoring exercises on Bimini, which provide important information to ensure safe swimming practices and keep beachgoers safe.
A special thank you to the Bimini City Council for all its support in facilitating the groups involved and to Bimini residents for their fine hospitality.
Waterkeepers Bahamas is a Bahamas-registered non-profit organization focused on community-based initiatives to ensure the waters of the Bahamas are safe for swimming, fishing, and drinking for future generations. It is an accredited member of the Waterkeeper® Alliance, the largest and fastest growing global nonprofit focused on clean water. Its network of more than 300 organizations and affiliates in over 45 countries are on the frontlines of the global water crisis, patrolling and protecting more than 2.6 million square miles of rivers, lakes and coastal waterways on six continents.